Feb282013

Noem issued blistering criticism of President Obama, calling him a poor leader for the nation

By Denise Ross

The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would have averted the federal “sequestration” cuts taking effect Friday, Rep. Kristi Noem, R-S.D., reminded reporters Thursday.

“It’s been almost 300 days since the House first passed our replacement bill,” she said. “We went back in and recognized this wasn’t the way to cut spending, that we needed to do it in a much more targeted manner, recognizing that our spending has gotten out of control.”

Democrats in charge of the Senate and White House ignored the House’s work, Noem said, and failed to take any steps to prevent the across-the-board spending cuts from hitting.

“The president didn’t weigh in on those bills, didn’t endorse them nor provide an alternative. That’s why we find ourselves in this position today,” Noem said. “Unfortunately, the House can’t avert this by itself.”

Noem issued blistering criticism of President Obama, calling him a poor leader for the nation.

“From the action the president has taken, I’m not convinced he cares,” she said. “For the first time, he’ll be meeting with congressional leaders (today) …